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| Hobbit Aid by Dreamflower | 20 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/8/2021 |
| This is an extremely belated review, I know! I don't know of anything about the rest of the story that others haven't said better, so I'm going to focus on this one detail. I'm so glad that Opal has become a healer! Her father must be very proud of her. Just a couple of questions. How is Opal able to perform her healing work, leaning on crutches? Seems to me that would be rather hard to pull off. Also, did she ever get married and have little hobbit children, or did she remain single for the rest of her life? And with that said, one other question! When did Paladin die? At least Pippin was back in the Great Smials when that day arrived. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 4/7/2013 |
| I saw a reference to this in one of your Mathoms and had to read it. I don't even know what to say. When Katrina happened, I was too far away to really grasp it. On top of that, I saw none of the pictures and avoided the news. Some of us do have this absurd idea that if we look the other way, the horrible thing happening right behind us will just stop. But when I was just eight or nine years old, I remember seeing a documentary about the long-term damage that can be caused by floodwaters. A woman talked about her house being flooded. She and her children went back afterward without having the place checked for mold. She found black mold growing there but didn't realize how deadly it was until it was too late for her youngest, just an infant. That haunted me for years, the image of that mother walking into her baby's room and finding him dead in his crib. Then later on, our church was doing mission work in Haiti at the time of a flood there. There was one family they tried to help, but only one little eleven-year-old boy was rescued from the roof of their house. Thank you for writing this, not only for those who know what this is like but for those of us who don't. Author Reply: Floods are horrible things, whether caused by hurricanes or storms or overflowing rivers--they sweep all before them and leave chaos in their wake. I kind of felt horrible inflicting this tragedy on Merry, but at the time I couldn't help myself--and then I realized it had a great impact on his later character. I'm glad if my story helps even a few understand what some people went through. | |
| Theresa Greenfalcon | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/30/2007 |
| I hope that things are going well for you post Katrina and hope you've been able to rebuild home and life. Thanks for writing this story; it might get the message across to those without family or friends that were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita a idea of what happened and what still needs doing there - and that we need to step up to help people no matter where they are when things like this happen. *Outstanding story.* Tracey Author Reply: Thank you very much! We no longer live on the Coast, due in part to the legacy of Katrina--though not for the same reasons as some who lost everything. But we still have friends and loved ones there, and worry for them. Even now, FEMA is still causing as many problems as it solved, and too many people still are in "temporary" FEMA trailers. I am so glad you like the story. I wrote it at one go, and posted it raw, without any beta-ing, because it seemed to me that it *needed* to be posted sooner rather than later. It's one of those stories that rather write themselves. Thank *YOU* for your kind words! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/23/2006 |
| I am proud of them all. Poor Merry--just as cursed with responsibility as Frodo was, and taking all to heart just as Frodo would. But they've pulled together, and even folk from Rohan, Arnor and Gondor have helped as family should. Yes, proud of all of them! | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/16/2006 |
| That was a hard lesson to learn. I loved Pippin's determination to get across the river to Merry and all the little notes and references to previous stories. It's lovely to see that Angelica and Freddy, and Berry and Viola do get married as we knew they would, and that Opal succeeded in her training as healer. All the other details added in were great and really brought this story to life, and through it all, I could just see how the experience left Merry in a sort of disbelieving dazed state - sort of what I felt after 9/11 and what so many in your part of the country felt like after the hurricanes, or even here in SoCal a couple of years back after the Cedar Fires which, as horrible as that was, doesn't begin to compare to Katrina. Even when you know the dangers, you always think you're safe until the worst happens. Author Reply: A "disbelieving dazed state". That is exactly the feeling I wanted so much to convey, and I am so glad that it came across. I have really been pleased with the reaction to this story. It was completely "raw"--I mean, I seldom use a beta, but I proof-read, re-write and correct most of my stuff a good deal before I post. But this one just kind of came out of me the way it is, and I couldn't bring myself to mess with it. I was not sure how good it was, so the feedback has been very reasurring. This story was written more as therapy than anything else. One *does* always think the old "it can't happen here" bit--even though you know in your head that it *can*, you never believe it until is *does*. | |
| Etharei | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/3/2005 |
| Sorry for the very belated review, but I just wanted to say that this is such a touching little piece, made even more significant by the real-life context in which it was written. They are saying that this year has seen the deadliest bouts of hurricanes and major storms in a long while. I particularly like the ending in this; whilst an axe, on its own, seems like a very minor detail in a host of things that could be improved with regards to disaster prevention, when tragedy does strike it may be the deciding factor on who survives and who doesn't. I just feel that it was a nice touch to a story that's very relevant to recent events. I'm a big fan of Pippin and Merry, and I like how they really shine here and take responsibility for the people under their care (especially Merry). However, it seems that there are times when Merry can be more stubborn than Pippin *g* and a Took prove wiser than a Brandybuck! Yet another beautiful piece! Author Reply: I am very glad you found this story touching. It had rather a hold on me, and demanded that I write it. It is one of the least previewed and revised stories I have ever posted. The story of the axe, that my husband told me, really affected me. I found myself wondering if there was anyone out there this time who was saved by that man's foresight. I like to think and hope that there was. And it seemed exactly like the kind of practical thing that a hobbit like Merry would think of. They are both very strong-willed and determined hobbits indeed. And they take their responsibilities to heart. Thank you for the lovely and insightful review. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/8/2005 |
| Sorry, I am quite late in reviewing, due to RL interfering in my computer time. What can I say about this? A very touching fic. It is obvious you know only too well about what you write, and I am so sorry you had yourself to go through this. This fic brings home in a very personal way how terribly these floods are (not only Katrina). I can understand so well how helpless Merry felt because he couldn’t do more and wasn’t able to save everyone! But you know, what I loved most was how determined Pippin was to cross the river and get into Buckland, flood or no, because he knew how desperatedly Merry needed him. I am so glad he was there for Merry! Author Reply: Well, I'm sorry to be late in replying, but I only just now came across your review. I think the notice must have been sent to my husband's computer. Happens from time-to-time. This story is pretty raw. It just came to me and demanded to be written, and I guess that's why the personal touch shows up. All of us felt very helpless indeed here. As to Pippin: he was going to get to Merry, no matter what it took. Was there ever any doubt? | |
| Mum's the Word | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/4/2005 |
| Dreamflower, this was a wonderful story, including the real-life axe reference. There are too many favorite portions to mention here. Hurrah for the Marines -- er, Rangers! Like so many others, I'm so thankful that you have fared so well. We'll keep you and your neighbors and loved ones in prayer as you work your way back to some semblance of normalcy. Huggles and blessings, Mum Author Reply: Huggles and blessings back. I am glad that you enjoyed the story. All the love and concern displayed for me during the time I was out of contact just astounded me. We can always use some prayers. It's going to be a long haul. | |
| Saoirse | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/4/2005 |
| O, Dreamflower... How sad! Just the whole thing...sad, and poor Merry - solemn even more. But such a thing, such a tragic event, must do that to one? *sigh* A beautiful story, even more poignant for such close ties to life. Thank you for this touching reminder of how dear things really are. 'Gently, Pippin wrapped his arms around his beloved cousin, and wept with him. This--this was what Merry had truly needed him for. ' Just lovely! And the edict about the axes! O! I heard about the people in the attics during the hurricane and my heart just wailed...what a terrible, frightening way for things to end. But on a happier note, it is so good to be assured of your safety. Prayers to you and the rest of the people that were lucky enough to get through that ordeal -- and to those who weren't as well. :) But a beautiful, touching story. Author Reply: I am so glad that this touched your heart; I am too close to it myself to be any kind of judge of it. The whole thing about people trapped in attics was even more horrible to me when I realized how very close things were for four of my friends, who had to retreat to their own attic for hours on end, and if the water had only gone just a bit higher, they could easily have become more of the statistics. *shudder* When my husband told me about the old man, and what he did, I could not help but wonder if the axes he left had been of any use this time around. I hope that they were. Thank you very much. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/4/2005 |
| Poor Merry. He must have been at the point of despair. He so likes to be in control and to have planned for all outcomes - and yet this is the sort of occasion when it would just be impossible. But at least he has friends - hobbits and men - fighting to get as much help to him as they can as quickly as they can. The stories are heart-rending - and the axe in the attic just makes you stop. But it is such a sensible thing to demand. And people will do it for years, until it has lost all meaning, but it just might save lives one day. Author Reply: Yes, that was exactly my jumping off point for the original drabble. But as the old saying goes "Man (or hobbit)proposes, God disposes." This is indeed the kind of thing that makes all plans fly out the window. Just as I had friends trying to help me. I was just so haunted by that story when my husband told it, and I wondered if anyone was saved by that old man's foresight this time? I don't suppose we'll ever know. And it seemed to me just the type of thing Merry would think of. | |